20 Gauge Shotgun Shells For Sale

The choice of many hunters for upland game and deer, the 20 gauge offers a sought-after light recoil. This versatile gauge has also been making headway into the self-defense market with new specialty ammunition designed for personal protection. Learn More

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A special gauge to many shotgunners, 20 gauge ammo is what many used to take their very first shots. And it remains the choice today for many hunters and competition shooters.

The smooth bore cartridge is significantly smaller than the 12 gauge (.615 vs .729), which means it has less recoil, making it the perfect entry-level shotgun shell. However, there’s a lot more going on with this powerful little round than just a shotgun for the kiddies. While the much heavier duty 12 gauge is the gold standard for home defense shotguns, you would be remiss to overlook the benefits of 20 gauge shells for the same use. In fact, Mossberg makes a 20ga ammo shotgun specifically designed for home defense.

Why People Buy 20 Gauge Ammo

A shotgun is primarily purchased for close-range home defense, and you might be surprised to learn that 20 gauge ammo is just about as effective as the 12 gauge, particularly for people who have difficulty managing the recoil of 20 gauge specialty ammo. Whether you’re looking for a weapon for a young person, a woman, a diminutive gentleman, or just someone with shoulder issues, 20 gauge shotgun shells can step in and get the job done when the recoil of a 12 gauge is too much. This is something to seriously consider – it’s far better to defend oneself with a weapon one can fire than with a weapon one cannot.

The 20 gauge cartridge can handle tasks other than self defense for smaller folks. It’s also a great cartridge for bird hunting. This is because the lower power of the weapon leaves more meat intact. So even if you’re a big, burly man, don’t be afraid of using this more diminutive weapon when hunting game, especially game birds. Grouse, turkey, and quail are appropriate quarry for a 20 gauge shell. However, don’t think for a second that deer aren’t on your radar. Because the 20 gauge is capable of loading slugs, you can hunt deer with them or even just ramp up the stopping power of your self defense.

The History of Speciality Shotgun Ammo

As you probably already know, early firearms fired balls, not modern cartridges. The earliest guns were likewise capable of firing something known as “shot,” which isn’t terribly different from the shotgun shells you use today. It was basically anything hard enough to do damage that you could shove down the barrel of a firearm.

Initially, shotgun ammo was used primarily by bird hunters and, to a lesser extent, police and guards. It wasn’t until World War I that they found a lot of use in the military as an effective weapon in trench warfare. The Second World War saw the shotgun used extensively in close-quarters jungle fighting in the Pacific Theater. Today, they are a specialty item in the military, primarily used by hunters and skeet shooters, as well as police and those seeking protection.

20 gauge began life as a muzzleloader with a 0.615-inch diameter bore. Just as the 10, 12 and 16 gauges evolved into being packaged in paper cartridges, and eventually in today's familiar plastic hulls, so did the 20 gauge (the only difference being that 20 gauge hulls are colored yellow). The choice of yellow as the color for 20 gauge shells was intentional, as it draws the attention of shooters – who might have different shotguns in different gauges – to make sure they don't accidentally load a 20 gauge shell in the wrong gun, which would ruin their shotgun or possibly harm the shooter.

Commonly employed to hunt birds and small game, as well as that ever-elusive clay pigeon, hunters and competitors indicate that the number-one reason for using the 20 gauge (as opposed to the more powerful 12 and 16 gauges) is recoil. The recoil of the 20 gauge is described by many shooters as about 50 percent of a 12 gauge when fired out of a shotgun of the same type. The 20 gauge enjoys another advantage in that the gun itself can be lighter than the large shotguns, without worrying about an increase in recoil. In fact, 20 gauge shotguns can be lighter than an equivalent 12 gauge shotgun by one, two or even several pounds.

Some shooters argue that the 20 gauge is a less effective cartridge due to the lighter payload and smaller charge. Counter arguments can be made by presenting the stories of many successful hunts being made with 20 gauge shotguns on animals as diverse as dove and deer. Consider the 20 gauge slug as a perfect example of how much power is contained in this cartridge. In terms of ballistics, the 5/8-ounce slug of the 20 gauge exiting the muzzle with a velocity of about 1,500 feet per second is essentially the same as the .454 Casull.

12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge

It’s worth looking at some of the differences between the world’s most popular shotgun shell, the 12 gauge and the more slight 20 gauge. Here’s how the 20 vs 12 gauge discussion breaks down:

Spread: The 12 gauge certainly wins when it comes to spread. It boasts more pellets than the 20 gauge and delivers far denser patterns.

Recoil: We’ve discussed this extensively above – for the most part, the 20 gauge is going to have a significantly less jarring recoil than the 12 gauge. Less recoil means more confidence and accuracy.

Velocity and Energy: The 12 gauge certainly has more power by any measure, resulting from the increased velocity and energy. The size difference between the two makes this a bit of a no-brainer. But you might not need that much power. The 20 gauge is often used to shoot through barriers, something you are unlikely to ever be doing.

Range: Thanks to the increased velocity of the 12-gauge, it also wins the battle when it comes to range. However, it’s worth noting that a number of police departments use the 12 gauge precisely because it has a shorter range, making it a more appropriate weapon for urban and suburban situations.

So what’s the final verdict? A 20 gauge round is going to deliver double the energy of the .44 Remington Magnum, so you don’t have to worry about a lack of power. The choice between 20 gauge and 12 gauge ultimately boils down to what you feel most comfortable shooting. Firearms instructors refer to the phenomenon of “flinching” or “jerking” as shooters inappropriately brace themselves prior to recoil. This makes for less accurate shooting, so power is not the only consideration when choosing a shotgun, especially for home defense.

Finding Cheap 20 Gauge Ammo

Shooters today will find a wide variety of affordable 20 gauge ammunition for their shotguns. Shot sizes available range from large buckshot on one end of the scale to diminutive #8 and #9 on the other end. Federal and Winchester recognize the market potential and value of the 20 gauge for personal protection at home, and are including it in their product lines for self defense. The 20 gauge is a great choice for applications as varied as bird hunting in the field to protecting your house.

It’s not a special shotgun shell, but it might be just what you’re looking for. If you find that the recoil from 12 gauge has your shoulder sore or think it might have you missing your shots, give a 20 gauge a try. It might be just what the doctor ordered.

20 Gauge Ballistics: Chart of Average 20 Gauge Ballistics

Note: This information comes from the manufacturer and is for informational purposes only. The actual ballistics obtained with your firearm can vary considerably from the advertised ballistics. Also, ballistics can vary from lot to lot with the same brand and type load.

Since many take their first shots with a 20 gauge, it’s no surprise this gauge remains special to shooters, and it remains the choice among hunters and competition shooters today.

Yellow as the color for 20 gauge shells was intentional, as it draws the attention of shooters who might have used the wrong gauge – a mistake that would ruin their shotgun or possibly harm the shooter.

Commonly used to hunt birds, small game and that elusive clay pigeon – hunters and competitors indicate that the number-one reason for using the 20 gauge is its recoil (which is about half that of a 12 gauge).

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